Process for treating hydrocarbons



miaou um I @hilo/mm3 Feb. 19 11924.

s. L. GARTLAN PROCESS FCR TREATING HYDROCARBONS Original Filed Oct. 28.

Patented Kiel@o lid,- ilQdo narran stares ernennen :tours daaraan, orroaonra'onrnaro, canapa, assren'oa or oren-nennennrns ro ernaar nennenescanear-rar, or rosolare, carmen.

PROCESS FR TREATNG HYDFJDOAREDNS.

A Application llled october te, isti, serial No. 511,041. RenewedJanuary t, wat.

To all whom t may concern: l

Be it known that l, STEPHEN Lome GART- LAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates ot America, residin at. the cit of Toronto, in the county of orkand rovince of Untario, `Dominion of Canada, have inventedcertain newand useful Processes for Treating Hydrocarbons; and I hereby declarethat the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.i

lt is known that a natural telluric hydrocarbon is a mixture ofsubstances of varying boiling points, and that each of the hydrocarbonsof higher boiling points contained in such mixtures is, during theprocess of distillation, exposed to various degrees of temperature belowits own boiling point, so long as the hydrocarbons of lower boilingpoints are not removed from the still, and

that the sepa-ration of these hydrocarbons by distillation. is oft/endiflicult for fractions boiling as low as 200 C., on account of the easeof partial decomposition o't the higher lboiling fractions at ordinaryatmospheric pressure.

lt is also known in the cracking of heavy oils, that twoessentialtantors govern, largely, the reaotions that take place, namelytemperature and pressure, the function of increased temperature being tobreak the bonds ot groups that make up the complex hydrocarbon molecule,and the function of premure, which is of chief importance,.be ingto,exert an influence on the nature of the resulting product.

Broadly speaking, cracking processes have heretofore been divided intotwo principal types; those that involve cracking n at atmos hericpressure and those that involve 'crac in under increased pressure.

The disadvantage of processes involving cracking at atmospheric pressureis the formation of relativel large volumes o oleiins and the tendency'othe hydrocarbons to pass out of the reacting sphere with a small degreeet alteration; and the diiilculty of obtaining cracking in any effectivedegree in processes operating Without pressure, is that the highertemperatures cannot be attained without causing va-porization andwithout ressure the vapors cannot be held in the lieate'd zone. Thedegree of conversion is necessarily less at atmospheric pressure thanunder-high pressure, as on account of the greater stability of thelighter molecules U5 only the heavier molecules are subject toalteration.

Great danger is inherent in crackin operations in which a large volumeot iquid 1s heated under pressure in a still or other large container,as a liquid-vapor phase system necessitates the employment ot a givenpressure for a given temperature and vice versa, unless one of thephases be caused to disappear. Therefore, in order to reach the hightemperatures that are desirable in order to bring about a maximum ofcracking it is necessary to use correspondingly hi h pressures if thetwo phase system is to is maintained. This simultaneous use of' bothhigh, temperatures and high pressures in the same vessel is a source oitdanger when a large volume of liquid is heated in a single operation, asthe container is apt to give way and the great volume of highly heatedliqgid then becomes a serious menace.

recesses of the above nature are also subject to the limitation commonto all tvvo phase systems namely, that the temperature and pressurecannot be varied independently of each other. This fixed interdependenceot temperature and pressure has heretofore been one of the greatesthandicaps ot all two phase systems, 'lor the higher temperatures andpressures, favorable for cracking the lighter and intermediatefractions', cannot be attained in large operations because of thedifficulty of finding retainers that will withstand the necessarystrain.

By conducting the vaporization at approximately atmospheric pressure andcontinuously withdrawing the `gvapors from the vaporizing zone, acontinuous evolution ol the vapors can be maintained at temperatureswhich will permit of the vapors passing from G5 the vaporizing zone withbut a minimum alteration of the original hydrocarbon molecules, and thenby bringing these vapors to a favorable temperature, the cracking opera.tion can be carried on in a separate apparatus with maximum efficiencyunder controllable conditions of temperature, pressure and subsequentrelease of pressure tor the sudden expansion of the compressed vapors,and will insure substantially all ot the evolved vapors being brokendown into the desired roduct.

To this end the vaporizing and cracking lll 'terdependent st ing stageare varied independentl of the temperature and pressurefemploye duringthe cracking stage, and .in a two phase system, 'necessitating 'theemployment of pressure and temperature, the pressuremay be caused toentirely disappearduringthe.

vaporlzing stage. As a consequencea lar e volume of liquid may be heated'and t e' maximum vaporization may be' attained' .a single operationwithout danger of the containerl giving' way, and without danger ofthe'large volume of highly heated liquid becoming. a serious menace."And .further the temperature and pressure durmg the vaporizing stage canbe so controlled that the' evolved vapors will pass'from the vaporizingzone with 'but a minimum alteration of the bonds of groups'that make u,the

- original hydrocarbon molecules an l vaporizatiom undertheseconditions, may bel continued until an excessively' low presi surein the vaporizer indicates that the maximum vaporization hasbeenattained. These vapors after passing from the vaporizing zone, can bebrought to a temperature favorable to their alteration during-theseconder cracking stage by increasing and maintaining the temperatureattained during the vaporization, either beforel or during the 'periodwhen the cracking pressure -is exerted on them, and the pressure duringthe cracking stage may be variedto meet the requirements of the reactionand afterwards released for the suddenexpan'sion of the compressedvapors. This regulation of the temperatures 4and pressures employed'during the vaporizing and cracking stages gives control to a largeextent, of the nature of the resulting product'and the percentage of theoriginal hydrocarbon treatedwhiclr can be converted into the resultingproduct.

'This invention therefore, relates to a proccess or method consisting ofdistinct, but interdependent stages by which the vaporization ofhydrocarbons. particularly telluric hydrocarbons, and the alteration ofthe original hydrocarbon molecules to form resulting productsofdifferent specific gravity and boilingpoints to the hydrocarbonvaporized may be continuously carried on in safety and with maximumefficiency, and it 'consists essentially of z-conducting thevapori'zation under favorable conditions of temperature at atmospheric,or plus or minus 'atmospheric pressure, -the degree of variation ineither direction fromzero being' negligible and the heat applied duringthe vaporizing period being so regulated as to maintain a continuousevolution of vapors 'without appreciably altering. the bonds of groupsthat make up. the original hydrocarbon molecules; withdrawing theevolved vapors the from the`va ori-zing zone during the vaporzing perio'5 increasing and maintainingthe temperature of the vapors attainedduring the. vaporization 'to a degree favorable to the cracking stage ofthe operation; compressing tli'e vapors under controllable c'onditionsof temperatur'ean-d pressure and releasing --theypressure .aftercompression for their sudden expansion and the alteration o f theoriginal' hydrocarbons into liquefied res'nlting products 'of' differentspecific gravity and boiling points to the hydrocarbon treated. f

:The .objects of the invention are :'to enable -the vaporization to becarried on atrelativelylow "temperatures, and under such conditions ofpressure as will facilitate-the rapid 'evolution of the vapors with butSlight alteration Yof the original hydrocar' bon molecules; to effectthe alteration .of these molecules by a controllable regulation 'oftemperature and pressure, followed by release of pressure and-4 suddenex ansion to form a resulting product of a di erent specific' gravityand boiling points to the hydrocarbon treated; and to eliminate theelementl of danger resulting from high pressures Within the vaporizingsphere and the element of failure ofthe apparatus resulting from highpressures during the vaporization. l

A In carrying out these objects a suitable vaporizing apparatus isemployed in Which a large volume of' hydrocarbon matter .can be exposedto heat. A steamgeneratormay be'connected with the vaporizing apparatusfor the injection of steam into the hydrocarbon o-r hydrocarbon vaporsduring the vaporizing period to increase the degreeandrate of.vaporization. A superheater may be connected with the vaporlzingapparatus to .raise the temperature of the vapors to a degree favorableto the cracking stage of the eration. A compressor, suitably jacketed;-or 'heating and cooling purposes,` is connected directly with thevaporlzing apparatus and with the superheater for continuouslywithdrawing the evolvedvapors from and maintaining adiminished pressureWithin the Vaporizing..

zone and superheaterand compressing the vapors under conditions of heatexchange favorableto the requirements 'of the reaction, and an'expansionchamber is connected with the compressor` for releasing the presl Vthesudden expansion of the vapors.

rThe drawing is a diagrammatic view of a suitable. arrangement of aparatus by which the" operation' may be e ectively carried out. i In thepractical #operation of the 'invention has been found thatthefollowingmethod and apparatus produce satisfactory results both asregards yields of the desired hydrocarbon products andi economy' ofoperation, but other apparatus -V of any usual or approved type may be lsubstituted I for thathereinafter described and the specifictemperatures and-pressures maybe Varied to the character or conditionsof the hydror.

to another of the series; or 1t may take the carbonstreated.

vThe plant inavhi'ch -this process. was elaborated consists 'of a- 5 0.H.' P. tubular Y typ'e boiler 8 for steam generating purposes connectedz-to 'an engine 16 which drives the compressor 5; to the steam coil 3 ofthe superheater 2; and to the outer jacket of Athe compressor `5. Thesuperheater 2`is an oil fire heated boX` of brick' constructioncontaining two sets of coils 3' and 4v for superheating the steam fromthe boiler, and

l thefvapor from'the still or vaporizer.

The superheater is provided with'a burner or burners 25 connected with afuelv supply by a pipe 26, and these burners are supplied with a steamjet from the steam pipe line 15.

' tion of a total volume of approximately 100 The vaporizer 1 is ofcylindrical construcgallons and is provided with temperature andpressure recording instruments. Connected with itis one of the steamlines from the superheater and two. vapor lines, one of the vapor linesleading -through the superheater to the compressor. rllhe compressor,provided with temperature and pressure recording instruments, is of thethree stage type, having an outer jacket such as iscommonly used forcooling purposes, and has a capacity of twelve cubic feet per minute, at110 R. P. M. The compressor is connected 4with the intake 18 of the eX-pansion chamber 17, through a needle valve 19, and both compressor andexpansion chamber are capable of withstanding high pressures. Theexpansion chamber 17 consists of a steel cylinder with a total volume ofabout 2?; cubic feet and is capable of withstanding high pressures up toapproximately 2,000 pounds. The cooler 21 is of the usual spiral typeconsisting of about thirty feet of one and one quarter inch coiled pipeand the receiving tank 23 is of thirty gallon capacity and capable ofwithstanding pressures up to 300 pounds.

v The liquid hydrocarbons to be treated are A newbie 'f tubularconstruction, satisfacto introduced into the vaporizer' 1. which -isprovided" with burners 12 connected by a pipe line .13. with the sourceof fuel supply and when. oil is used as fuel the burners are alsoconnected'bya pipe line 15 'with the steam coils '3;.of the superheater2, the steam flowing through theA lpipe linel '15 to thebu'rnersatomizing the o1 o'f ran apparatus of any other design which willprovide for the -continuous evolution of .a relatively large volume ofvapors and Amay beicharged and run in batches or' a numberv of theinmaybe connected with one or more'compressors, and run simultaneously, or vanumber of them'may be connected in series and run simultaneouslythe oilcirculating in the' latter casefrom one vapors directly from thevaporizer to the compressor 5, and the valve controlled pipe 7conducting the vapors from the vaporizer to the coil l1 of thesuperheater 2, and then to the valve controlled pipe 6, between itsvalve 6 and the intake port of the compressor 5. To minimize the drop intemperature between the vaporizer or superheater and the compressor, thepipes 6 and 7 may be suitably covered with heat insulating malterial.rllhe steam coil 3 in the superheater 2 is connected with the steamgenerator 8l and supplies superheated steam to the vaporizer through thesteam pipe, 10.

To facilitate the cracking of the vapors it is necessary to maintain thecompressor at a temperature favorable to the maximum cracking eciency.ln treatingTexas fuel oil the compressor was preheated to a temperatureup to 550 C. and this temperature was maintained for the compressorduring the evolution of the vapors of those fractions evolved by boilingthe mass at temperatures between 124 C. and 400 C. When the temperatureofthe mass for the evolution of the vapors of the higher boilingfractions exceeded 400 C., it was found advis- 4and spraying. it, underpressure, throu h the burner out. lets..: 'l`he -vaporizer -1. ta' esthe form of a' cylindrical still, but it may take the form reo isprovided with a 'coil or jacket for heatin l steam pipe andcoolinpurposes. The intake end o this coilor acket is connected with the mainline 9 by a valve controlled steam pipe 11, and with the steam coil 3 inthe su erheater 2 by a valve controlled pi e 15.

team' circulates from the steam oiler i' through the valve controlledpipe 15 and during the'compression of the hydrocarbon fractions -whenlthe boiling temperature of the mass was or below 400 C. When the boilingtemperature of the mass attained 400 C., the steam from the superheaterto the coil -or jacket of the compressor was cut off, and when theboiling temperature of the mass exceeded 400 C., the steam circulatedfrom the steam generator by means of the pi e lines 9 and 11, to thecompressor and eflxcted a. heat exchangeor reduction of teinperature ofthe com ressor to about l150 C., the tem erature o .the compressor atall times being controlled to the requirements of the crackingtemperature of the vapors being compressed. When it is necessary toeffect' a considerable reduction in the temerature of the compressor,suitable mechanical' cooling means may be connected with the compressorfor that purpose.

Connected with the intake 18 of the expansion chamber 17 andthe exit ofthe high pressure cylinder of the compressor is a vapor line 20, andthis high ressure vapor line is covered with suitable insulatingmaterial to minimize the drop in temperature. The expansion chamber isprovided with a gauge. glass so lthat the apparent condition and therate of' colle'ction of the liquefied vapors may be observed. When theoil is introduced into the vaporizer, steam pressure is raised in thesteam generator to about' 100 pounds and-the burners in the superheaterare lighted and so regulated as to superheat the steam from thegenerator and the' vapor passing from the vaporizer l through thesuperheater to the compressor to a temperature up to 550 C.- Steam fromthe superheating coil 3 is' then conducted throu h the coil or jacketofthe compressor to -pre eatthe compressorto approximately the sametemperature. The burners in the vaporizer-are now lighted and thetemperature. raised until vapors are evolved. The evolutionl of the vaors may be continued .until an excessively ow pressure in the vaporlzerindicates that the maximum vapori# zation of the oil introduced into thevaporizer has been attained. When the vapors begin to be evolved, thecompressor is started andthe vapors are withdrawn' by the compresserfrom the vaporizer through the vapor coils a of the superheater. Thetemperaturevof the superheater is so regulated as to heat the va ors ofthe low boiling fractions, before co pression, to a temperature of about550 C., which is found to be favorable tothe cracking stage o'f the oeration.

When the vapors passing throng the superheater pick up sufficient heatto keep-the compressor at the proper operatin temperature, thesuperheated steam to t e coil or jacket of the compressor is turned off.When the temperature of the h drocarbons in the vaporizer reaches themaximum boiling point before cracking, the vapors `are conducted directfrom the vaporizer to the compressor. When the temperature of thecompressor exceeds 550 C. wet steam from the steam generator is turnedinto the coil or jacket through the pipes 9 and 11. The introduction ofthis wet steam into the coil or 'acket of the compressor has the eiectof re ucing the temperature of the compressor, thereby preventing anabnormal rise in its temperature, due to the high temperature of thevaors of the higher boiling fractions and any eat develope by thecompression.

Instead of using 1the superheater to preheat the vapors passing from thevaporizer to the compressor, the temperature of the compressor can beraised to a degree which will permit of the vapors passing direct fromthe vaporizing zone to the pressure zone at the va orizing temperatureand being heated by t e compressor to the required degree for thecracking stage of the operation.

The temperature of the vaporizer is so regulated as to maintain acontinuous evo* lution of the vapors and the speed of the compressor isso regulated as to continuously withdraw the vapors from the vaporizingzone and maintain in it a normal pressure at or about atmosphericpressure, the degree of variation from atmospheric pressure in eitherdirection being negligible. The low pressure in the vaporizerfacilitates \the rapid evolution of the vapors; it enables thevaporization to be carried on at relatively low temperatures; iteliminates the risk of danger resulting from high pressures within thevaporizing sphere; and it eliminates the dan er of failure of theapparatus resulting rom high pressures.

The vaporization of the liquid is started at a relatively lowtemperature to vaporize the hydrocarbon fractions of low boilin pointranges, each fraction as it is vaporize eing drawn off from the vaorizer by the compressor, which action of t e compressor maintains inthe vaporizer a normal atmospheric pressure or pressure varying butlittle above or below atmosfpheric pressure. l

When the vapors o the low boiling fractions .have been evolved andwithdrawn from las aaa-asie the vaporizer, the temperatures of the \vaporizer and its contents are increased to continue the va orization ofthe higher boiling fractions, t e continuous withdrawal of these vaporsbeing 'maintained by the compressor and the operation being continueduntil an excessively low pressure in the vaporizer indicates that themaximum vaporization has been attained.

When the vaporizing temperature reaches 200 C., superheated steam maybeintroduced into the vaporizer and the mixture of vapors and steam isdrawn olf by the compressor through the sup'erheater. rlhe pressure inthe high ressure cylinder is regulated to the Arequirements of thecracking operation and may vary from 100 pounds to 1,500 poundsl or moreper square inch. When the temperature of the mass for the evolution ofthe vapors reaches 4009 C. the passageof the mixture of vapors and steamthrough the superheater may be discontinued and vapors may then beconducted directly to the compressor from the vaporizer. rlhe operationof the compressor is regulated to give any required pressure in the highpressure cylinder, A practically constant flow of compressed vapors ismaintained through the needle valve into the expansion chamber where thepressure is immediately reduced to or within a few pounds of atmosphericpressure. During the compression the temperature of the vapors willapproximate 550 C., and this temperature and the pressure are maintaineduntil the delivery of the vapors through the needle valve into theexpansion chamber, where the vapors are suddenly expanded. rlhe suddenexpansion of the vapors causes a great drop in temperature and theliquefaction of all but the very lightest vapors. The strain on thevapors caused by the high temperature and pressure in the compressor andthe sudden expansion and great drop of pressure in the expansion chamberresults in the alteration of the bonds of groups that make up theoriginal hydrocarbon molecules, and the formation of bonds of .groupswhich make up hydrocarbon molecules of diierent specic gravity andboiling points or, in other words, this arrangement of heat control,compression, and expansion, brings into use and renders possible theclose control of the two well recognized factors made use of in thecracking of hydrocarbons i. e. temperature and pressure, and brings intooperation an additional factor, i. e., the principle of subjecting thehydrocarbon molecules to great strain by expansion.

For the condensation of those vapors not liqueed in the expansionchamber, the intake end of the cooler 21 is connected with the outlet 22of the expansion chamber 17 and this cooler 2l discharges into thereceiver 23 where all liquefied vapors :are collected, the diderentialpressure between the expansion chamber and receiving tank permitting ofthe unimpeded circulation. of the liquefied products to the latter. Inthis Way everything except some of the permanent gases is collected inthe' receiving tank in the form of liquid of di'erent boiling points andspecific gravity to those kof the original hydrocarbon treated.

It has been ascertained in the practical operation of this method oftreating hydrocarbon oils, such as heavy paran base or asphaltum basecrude oils, that yields as high as 31% of gasolenehave been obtained ona single run on the batch system. y

It will be understood that the above mentioned temperatures andpressureshave been merely set forth as one specific example of thepractical application of the process and that they may be varied to meetthe requirements of the operating conditions of a commercial plant. v v

Having thus fully described my invention, what li claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is `1. A cracking process for theproduction of lower boiling liquid hydrocarbons which consists oftransforming liquid hydrocarbon into vapors and while in a vapor state`subjecting them to a plurality of intense changes of pressure and thensuddenly releasing the pressure.

2. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of, transforming liquid hydrocarbon intovapors, suddenly applying intense compression on the vapors and suddenlyreleasing the compression after the pressure has been applied.

3. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which v consists of transforming liquid hydrocarbon intovapors, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone toa pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone, and effecting thealterationv of the evolved vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon byvintensely compressing the transferred vapors and then suddenlycollecting the products.

4. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of separating the operation into distinctbut interdependent stages and vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon duringone of the stages and maintaining a relatively low pressure in thevaporizing zone during the vaporization, and during another stage,separate from the vaporizing stage, transferring all the evolved vaporsto a separate pressure Zone and altering these vapors into a lowerboiling hydrocarbon by suddenly applying intense pressure and thensuddenly releasing the pressure, and collecting the product, 1

expanding them, and

lapplying a plurality ture of said vapors, altering the transferredvapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by of intense changes ofpressure to said vapors, including the com- /pression and suddenexpansion of the vapors, and then collecting the altered product.

6. of lower boiling'liquid hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizingliquid hydrocarbon, continuously transferring all the evolved vaporsto'a pressure zone se arate from the va orizlng zone, and then a teringthem into a ower boiling hydrocarbon by suddenly .applying intensepressure and suddenly re-v yleasing the ressure.

7. A crac 'ng rocess for the production Aof lower boiling iqnidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at aboutatmospher1c-'pressure, transferrmg all the evolved vapors to a pressurezone i p separate from the vaporizing zone, and then i Ui alteringtheminto a lower boiling hydrocarbon by the sudden application of intensepressure followed by a sudden, release of pressure.

8. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon atrelatively low temperatures, continuously transferring all the evolvedvapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from thevaporizing zone and maintaining a low pressure in the latter, and thenaltering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by suddenlyapplying 'intense pressure on the vapors and suddenly releasing thecompression after the pressure has been applied.

i 9. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling. liquidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquidhydrocarbon at aboutatmospheric pressure, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapor,continuously withdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zoneduring the vaporizing period and maintaining a substantially' constantpressure in it, and then altering these vapors into a lower boilinghydrocarbon by a plurality of intense pressure changes followed by asudden release of pressure.

10. A cracking process for the production of lower. boiling hydrocarbonswhich consistsv of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at about atmosphericpressure, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapor, continuouslywithdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone during thevaporizing period and maintaining a substantially constant pressure init, and then altering these A cracking process for the production vaporsinto a lower boiling hydrocarbon by a plurality of intense pressurechanges, fo lowedl by a sudden release of pressure, and regulating theintensity of the pressure changes to the requirements of the operation.11. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,maintaining a continuous evolution of vapors, continuously withdrawingthe evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone during the vaporizing periodand maintaining al substantially constant pressure in it, and then\altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by thesuddenapplication of intense pressure followed by a sudden release ofpressure, and regulating the temperature during compression totherequire ment of the operation'. 4

12. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of va orizing liquid hydrocarbon at aboutatmosp eric pressure, maintaining a continuous evolution of vapor,continuously withdrawing the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone `jduri-ng the vaporizing period and maintaining a substantially constantpressure in it, and then altering vthese vapors intov a lower boilinghydrocarbon by the application of intense pressure followed by a suddenrelase of the pressure, and regulating the temperature and pressureduring thev compression to the requirements of the alteration. Y" I...

13. The hereindescribed cracking process for the reduction of lowerboiling liquid hydrocarions Whichconsists of vaporizing liquidhydrocarbon, transferringr all the evolved vapors to a pressure zoneseparate fromthe vaporizing zone, and then altering these vapors into alower boiling hydrocarbon by multiple stage compression followed bysudden expansion.

14. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to apressure. zone separate from the vaporizing zone, regulating the heat inthe pressure zone at will to a degree favorable to the operation, andthen altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon by intenselycompressing the vapors and suddenly releasing the intense compressionafter the pressure has been applied.

15. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists "in vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to apressure zone. separate from the vaporizing zone, raislng said vapors atwill to a temperature higher than that at which they were evolved,subjecting the vapors to intense ressure ranging from 200 lbs.- or lessto 1500 bs. or more per square incedere vapors from the pressure zoneand suddenly @lll tense pressure an releasing the ressure.

16. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists in va orizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring al the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to apressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone, raising said vapors atwill to a temperature highei1 than that at which they were evolved,sub]ectin'g all'the va ors to intense 4sudden pressure, increasing iepressure until the maximum pressure has been attained, and then expel\ling the com ressed vapors ,from the pressure zone and su denlyreleasing the pressure.

17 ."A. 'cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of va orizing liquid hydrocarbon at avrelatively ow temperature, continuously transferring all the evolvedvapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from thevaporizin zone and maintainin Y a low pressure in tievaporizing zone, anthen altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon b suddenlyapplying insuddenly releasing the coni ression after the maximumpressure has been applied. y

18. A cracking process for the productron of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consist of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon at arelatively7 low temperature and pressure, continuous y transferring allthe evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separatefrom the vaporizing zoneand maintainin a low pressure in the vaporizingzone, an then altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon byexerting on them'sudden ressure of an intensity which will result w enthe ressure 1s released in the cracking or t e vapors, suddenlyreleasing the cpmpression after the maximum pressure h'as been applied,and varying the temperature and pressure emplo ed during thevaporization independently of .the pressure employed during thecompression.

19. A cracking recess for the production of a lower boiling liquidhydrocarbon which consists of vaporizing liquidhydrocarbon ati arelatively low pressure, continuously transferring all the evolvedvapors from the vaporizing zone to a pressure zone separate from thevaporizing zone and maintaining a Vlow pressure in the Vaporizing zone,then` altering these vapors into a lower boiling hydrocarbon bycompressing the vapors when transferred to the pressurezone and exertingon all the transferred vapors during the compression pressure of anintensity which will result in a lower boiling hydrocarbon when thepressure is released, expelling the compressed vapors from the pressurezone after the pressure has been a plied, and suddenly expanding theintense y compressed vapors.

20. A cracking rocess for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which comprises converting li uid hydrocarbon into vapor,transferring a l the vapors to a separate pressure zone, regulating thetemperature of the transferred vapors at will, compressing all thetransferred vapors by the sudden application of intense pressure,releasing the pressure by sudden expansion of the va ors,and collectingthe product.-

21. cracking recess for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which comprises converting liquid hydrocarbon into vapor,transferring all the vapors to a separate pressure zone, regulating thetemperature of the transferred vapors at will, compressing all thetransferred vapors by the'sudden application of intense pressure rangingfrom 200 pounds or less to 1500 pounds or more per square inch,releasing the pressure by the sudden expansion of the vapors andcollecting the product.

22. cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of transforming liquid hydrocarbon intovapors, transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone toa pressure zone separate from the vaporizing zone, without a lowering ofthe temperature attained during the vaporization, and then altering thetransferred vapors by a plurality of intense sudden pressure changesfollowed by a sudden release of pressure.

23. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which comprises .converting liquid hydrocarbon into vapors,transferring all the vapors to a separate pressure zone, compressing allthe transferred vapors by the sudden application of intense pressure,releasing the pressure by sudden expansion of the vapors and injectingsteam into the hydrocarbon matter being vaporized or into the evolvedvapors before the maximum pressure is applied.

24. The hereindescribed cracking process for the production of lowerboiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizin the hydrocarbon mass atabout atmosp eric pressure, regulating the heat for the vaporization tomaintain a continuous evolution of vapors, maintaining a relatively lowpressure in the vaporizing zone continuously durino the vaporizingperiod, varying only slightly above or below atmospheric pressure,regulating the temperature of the vapors'evolved during the vaporizationto a degree favorable to the cracking stage of the operation,compressing all the vapors and releasing the pressure after compressionfor the sudden expansion of the vapors to .form a resulting productdiffering in specific' gravity and boiling points from the hydrocarbonv'aporized.

lill?) @carbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon mass:itabout atmospheric pressure, and regulating the heat during thevaporizing eriod so as to maintain a continuous evo ution of vapors,increasing and maintaining the temperature of the .vapors evolved durinthe vaporization to a degree most favorab e to the cracking operation,compressing all the va ors, and suddenly releasing the pressure a tercompresslon for the expansion of the vapors to form a resulting productof-diiferent specific gravity and boiling points to the hydrocarbonvaporlzed.

27. 'Ehe hcreindescribed cracking process for thevproduction of lowerboiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hy-4 drocarbonmass at about atmospheric pressure,l regulating the temperature of thevapors after passing from the vaporizing zone to the requirements of thereaction, and compressing all the vapors and suddenly releasing thepressure after compression for their expansion.

28. The hereindescribed cracking process for the production of lowerboiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon massat about atmospheric pressure, regulating the temperature of the vaporsafter passing from the vaporizing zone to the requlrements of thereaction by a system of heat exchange, compressing all the vapors andreleasing the pressure after compreion for their sudden expansion. 29.The hereindescribed cracking'process for the production of lower boilinghydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon mass at aboutatmospheric pressure, superheating the vapors of the low boilingfractions after passing from the va-xv porizing zone, compressing allthe vapors evolved during the vaporization under controllable conditionsof temperature and pressure and releasing the pressure after compressionfor the sudden expansion of the vapors.

30. The 'hereindescribed cracking process for the production of lowerboiling hydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the hydrocarbon massat about atmospheric pressure, and after vaporization increasing thetemperature of the vapors of the low boiling `fractions to a degreefavorable to the reaction, compreing all the vapors, and releasing thepressure i after` :compression foifltlie sudden "expansion of thevapors.

31. The hereindescribed cracking rocess for the production of lower.boiling4 ydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing the'hydrocarbon massat about'atmospheric pressure, compressing all the vapors on passingfrom the va rizing'zone under regulable conditions o pressure, releasingthe pressure after compression for their sudden ex,- pansion andliqucfaction, and collecting the .liquefied products of vall the vaporsin the same receiver. I

32. The hereindescribed cracking process for the production of. lowerboilinghydrocai-bons which consists of vaporizingthe hydrocarbon mass atabout atmospheric pres-1, 4 sure, superheating'the vapors of the lowboiling fractions after passingfrom the'vaporizingzone,- compressing allthe vapors evolved during the vaporization under controlla-bleconditions of temperature and pressure and releasing the pressureaftercompression for the sudden eXpansionand-liquefaction of the vapors, andcollecting all the liquefied products in acommon receptacle.

3 3. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling li uidhydrocarbons which consists in vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,`transferring all the evolved vapors from the :95 vaporizing zone to aseparate pressurezone, heating the transferred vapors at will to adegree favorable to the alteration, and compressing all the evolvedvapors in saidv separate pressure zone.

34. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists in vaporizingA liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to aseparate pressure zone, heating the transferred vapors at will duringthe pressure period to a degree favorable to the alteration, andcompressing all the transferred-vapors'in said separate pressure zone.

35. A cracking process for the production ofy lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists in vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,.transferring all the evolved vapors'from the vaporizing zone toaseparate' pressure vzone 1l; and heating the vapors at will before andA during the compressionto a'degree favorable to the altera-tion, andcompressing all the evolved vapors in said separate pressure zone.

36. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling 'liquidhydrocarbons which. consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to aseparate pressure zone, 121 compressing all the transferred vapors insaid separate pressure zone undercontrolla- Able conditions of preure,and releasin ,the compression for vsudden expansion o the A compressedvapors. p

meente 37. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons Which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the evolved vapors from the vaporizing zone to aseparate pressure zone, compressing all the transferred vapors in saidseparate pressure zone under controllable conditions of temperature, andreleasing the compression for sudden expansion of the compressed vapors.

38. A cracking process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the vapors from the vaporizing zone to a separatepressure zone, compressing all the transferred vapors in said separatepressure zone under controllable conditions of temperature and pressure,and releasing the compression for sudden expansion of the compressedvapors.

39. A cracking 'process for the production of lower boiling liquidhydrocarbons which consists of vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon,transferring all the vapors to a separate pressure zone, regulating thetemperature of the transferred vapors at will to the requirements of thereaction, compressing all the transferred vapors in said separatepressure zone, and releasing the pressure after compression for theirsudden expansion.

Washin ton D. CL, October 26th, 1921.,

s Erima Lorne marrant

